Earl Brown Frantz (1931-2021)

FRANTZ, BROWN, MURPHY

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 6/12/2021 at 20:55:34

MUSCATINE, Iowa - Earl Brown Frantz, 90, passed away on Friday, May 7, 2021, at his home.

Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday May 13, 2021, at St. Mathias Church. The Reverend Chris Weber will officiate Casket bearers will be grandsons: Casey and Josh Cottrell, Michael and Ethan Frantz, Cole Chaplin,and Johnny Watson. Honorary Bearers will be Robbie Rock, Andy Marker, and Dalcon DeMaranville. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Visitation is from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12, 2021, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Ss. Mary and Mathias Church and the Muscatine Symphony. Online condolences may be made at www.wittichfuneralhome.com .

Earl was born on April 27, 1931, in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, the son of Earl L. and Rose Brown Frantz. In 1951 he married Janice Murphy in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. They were members of Ss Mary & Mathias Church.

Earl worked for the HON company for many years and retired from BT Prime Mover as purchasing manager. He had a passion for playing the violin and was a longtime member of the Muscatine Symphony. During this time he also was a member of the Gem Trio along with very special friends Maggie Tiecke and Gail Pusateri. The Gem Trio shared their beautiful music at many weddings and other events around Muscatine. Later in life he became a master craftsman making 7 violins, one for each of his children.

A special thank you to our sister, Roxanne, who opened her home to dad and allowed our family to make more memories, reminisce, laugh, and share the love. We were blessed with three additional months of time with our father we never dreamed possible. Our very own family nurses Laurie and Heather were a rock of strength and peace not only for dad but for all of us.

A big thank you to Hospice Compassus and caregiver team; Bea, Ashley, Rosa, Veronica, Joan and Debbie. Their help in a difficult time warmed all of our hearts with their gentle care.

Those left to honor his memory include his children, Kathy Cottrell (Jim), Roxanne Musser, Patricia Beals (Mike) of Tomahawk, WI, Michael Frantz (Diane), Roberta Chaplin (Mike), Mark Frantz (Laurie), and Michelle Watson (Billy Wall), of Allentown, PA, 13 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and brother James Frantz of Shreveport, LA and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife and parents.